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Stage 2

Stage 2 · Petrol · 1.8 20v Turbo GTI 180hp

VW Golf3 2.8 VR6 Stage 2 file Bosch HW 0261203969 · 021906256 · SW 355938

Volkswagen Golf 3 2.8 VR6 Petrol 128 kW (174 HP) Stage 2

2002, Petrol, 128 kW (174 hp)

180 → 252 HP +72 HP +106 Nm 40% more power

Calibrated ECU file for 0261203969 (SW 355938). Checksum-corrected, ready to flash. Delivered instantly via secure download after payment.

Performance projection

Matched engine: 1.8 20v Turbo GTI 180hp, AUQ, 1.8L, Petrol. Engine #17508 in our gains database.

060120180240 1000200030004000500060007000 252 HP +72 341 Nm +106 HP Nm RPM 080160240320
Stock · Stage 2 · HP (left) · Nm (right) · Curve shape typical for this ECU family
Power
252 HP+72 HP from 180
Torque
341 Nm+106 Nm from 235
Fuel economy
−8 %−12% full load

Real data from Gains API. Dyno curve = typical ECU-family projection. Final gains depend on fuel, altitude, wear.

How it works

  1. Read your ECU

    With KESS, KTAG, AutoTuner or Flex. Keep the read: it is your way back.

  2. Match the numbers

    Your read must show hardware 0261203969 and software 355938.

  3. Pay and download

    Card, Apple Pay or Google Pay. The file is in your account straight away.

  4. Write it and drive

    Write it back the way you read it. Not right for your car? We correct it free.

What the car needs

Required modifications: Stage 2, Petrol.

Hardware

  • Sport / decat downpipe (or sports-cat)
  • High-flow air intake
  • Optional: front-mount intercooler upgrade for sustained boost

Software / calibration

  • Cat-warm-up & secondary lambda re-mapped for decat hardware
  • Boost target raised in line with cooling capacity
  • Knock / ignition advance re-trimmed
  • Idle and load-transition tables refined

Stage 2 keeps the factory turbo and internals. Final figures vary slightly with the exact hardware fitted.

Vehicle & ECU specifications

Exact vehicle, engine and ECU identifiers this calibration file is written for. Cross-check against your ECU before flashing.

Vehicle make Volkswagen
Vehicle model Golf3
Model year 2002
Displacement 2.8 L
Fuel / Induction Petrol
Factory power 128 kW (174 HP)
ECU manufacturer Bosch
ECU hardware 0261203969
ECU software 355938
Calibration stage Stage 2
OEM engine code AUQ
File format BIN / ORI
Checksum Pre-corrected (ready to flash)
Delivery Instant download after payment

Engine performance matrix

Power, torque and fuel-economy figures for every tuning stage on this engine, sourced from the tuning-database Gains API. Values are healthy-engine crank numbers; real on-road gains vary with fuel, altitude and mechanical condition.

Engine1.8 20v Turbo GTI 180hp CodeAUQ Displacement1.8L FuelPetrol Engine ID#17508
Stage Power Torque Δ HP Δ Nm
Original / Factory 180 HP 235 Nm — —
Stage 1 192 HP 310 Nm +12 (6.7%) +75
Stage 2 252 HP 341 Nm +72 (40%) +106
Stage 3 297 HP 364 Nm +117 (65%) +129
Stage 4 351 HP 435 Nm +171 (95%) +200
Fuel economy gain (vs. factory map, same driving profile): combined cycle −8% , full-load cruise −12%. Diesel calibrations typically net bigger combined-cycle savings thanks to shorter duty-cycle on low-load driving.

About this calibration file

The Stage 2 calibration for the 2002 Volkswagen Golf3 2.8L Petrol is written for vehicles with supporting bolt-ons: a higher-flow downpipe or sports catalyst, upgraded intercooler and upgraded intake are recommended. Boost targets, fuel-rail pressure, injector duration and VGT positioning are pushed further than a Stage 1 map while keeping exhaust-gas temperatures inside safe bands.

This file matches a Bosch ECU with hardware number 0261203969 and software version 355938. Verify both identifiers in your flashing tool before writing — an ID mismatch is the most common cause of a bricked ECU. If you are unsure, upload a read of your original file via the file-request wizard and our engineers will confirm compatibility before you flash.

Projected output on a healthy, stock-hardware example of this engine: 252 HP and 341 Nm at the crank — a gain of +72 HP (40%) and +106 Nm over the factory 180 HP / 235 Nm baseline. These numbers are sourced from our Vehicle Performance Database, which aggregates dyno results across this engine family. Real-world gains depend on fuel grade, ambient temperature, mechanical condition and intake/exhaust state.

The file is delivered as a ready-to-flash BIN (and ORI backup where applicable) compatible with all major tools — KESS V2/V3, KTAG, AutoTuner, CMDFlash, Dimsport New Genius, MPPS, Flex, BFlash, PCMFlash, MMFlash — via OBD, bench or boot-mode as supported by your ECU family. Checksums are pre-computed and verified; no additional checksum tool is required. All files include a free revision if post-flash logs reveal a fuelling, boost or EGT issue.

Frequently asked questions

The file is written for the exact ECU hardware 0261203969 (Bosch) listed in the specifications. Read your ECU with any supported tool (KESS, KTAG, AutoTuner, CMD, etc.) and compare the hardware + software numbers against the ones on this page. If they match exactly, the file is a direct fit. If you're not 100% sure, upload your original read via the file-request wizard and our engineers will confirm within minutes — no cost, no obligation.

Stage 2 benefits from a higher-flow downpipe or sports catalyst, an upgraded intercooler on forced-induction engines, and in some cases a cooler intake. The map will run on stock hardware but will not reach the quoted figures without the supporting bolt-ons.

Re-flashing the ECU leaves a flag that a franchised Volkswagen dealer can detect with their diagnostic tool. Most markets treat this as a basis to deny powertrain warranty claims that the modification could have caused. Emissions-sensitive components (DPF, EGR, SCR) remain fully functional with this calibration — we do not remove, disable or alter any emissions hardware.

The power and torque numbers on this page are healthy-engine crank figures. On a well-maintained 2002 Volkswagen Golf3 running a known-good fuel brand, you should see a clearly perceptible increase in mid-range pull — typically from 1,800 to 4,000 rpm on diesel, 2,500 to 6,000 rpm on petrol — along with a shorter 80-to-120 km/h in-gear time. Thermal performance and fuel consumption depend on how you drive post-tune.

Instant. As soon as the payment clears, the file appears under Downloads in your account and the link is emailed to you. It does not expire: sign in and download it again whenever you need it.

Pre-corrected. Every tuning file we sell is processed through CHKSuite (our in-house checksum engine) before it reaches your download link. You can flash it directly with KESS, KTAG, AutoTuner, CMD, Dimsport or any other supported tool — no extra checksum step required. A zero-CRC write to a modern Bosch/Siemens/Delphi ECU bricks the unit, so this is non-negotiable.

Contact us on WhatsApp or through the dashboard support thread. Free revisions are included for the same stage on the same ECU — send us a live log (via VCDS, INPA, EcuConnect, OBDeleven or similar) and we'll adjust timing, boost, rail pressure or smoke limits and re-issue the file. A failed flash itself (write aborted, bricked ECU) is recoverable with our Original file and a bench tool.

Product details

This product contains a calibrated Stage2 tuning file for VW Golf3 2.8 VR6 2002 Benzin 128KW with Bosch 0261203969 (Bosch software number 355938 ( 1037355938 )). The base stock vehicle for this calibration has a factory output of around 128 kW (~174 HP). Stage 2 is intended for cars with supporting modifications (exhaust, intake, intercooler) and delivers a stronger performance gain.

All ECU tuning files from TUNING-DATABASE are prepared for professional use. They are useful whenever you search by ECU ID, hardware or software number such as 0261203969, 355938 (1037 + SW code). Use this file for diagnostics, cloning, recovery or as a base for custom remapping.

SHA-256 fingerprint09C10EAF B2E9FB93 8ADC4A94 602AF3DC 2F5B8577 5490D8F3 6A12AEBA 086E69A3